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| Preacher Anjem Choudary to leave prison after being granted bail | Preacher Anjem Choudary to leave prison after being granted bail |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The radical preacher Anjem Choudary is to be released from custody at a high-security London prison after being granted bail over allegations he encouraged support for Islamic State. | The radical preacher Anjem Choudary is to be released from custody at a high-security London prison after being granted bail over allegations he encouraged support for Islamic State. |
| Choudary has been held at Belmarsh prison since he was charged with inciting support for the terrorist group on 6 August. | Choudary has been held at Belmarsh prison since he was charged with inciting support for the terrorist group on 6 August. |
| He appeared via video link at the Old Bailey in central London on Friday alongside co-defendant Mohammed Rahman. | He appeared via video link at the Old Bailey in central London on Friday alongside co-defendant Mohammed Rahman. |
| The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, ruled the pair should be released on bail subject to a number of conditions. | |
| In his ruling, he said: “I am not persuaded in either case that there are substantial grounds for believing that either defendant will fail to surrender to custody. | In his ruling, he said: “I am not persuaded in either case that there are substantial grounds for believing that either defendant will fail to surrender to custody. |
| “While I accept the points made by the prosecution, they are both men who are settled in this country. They have families to support and with the conditions that are suggested I think it is unlikely that they will attempt to abscond. | “While I accept the points made by the prosecution, they are both men who are settled in this country. They have families to support and with the conditions that are suggested I think it is unlikely that they will attempt to abscond. |
| “I have been much more concerned to whether there are substantial grounds for believing that they will commit further offences. | “I have been much more concerned to whether there are substantial grounds for believing that they will commit further offences. |
| “I am concerned about anything being disseminated publicly by either of them or on their behalf which would encourage others to go to live in Syria as part of their religious duty. | “I am concerned about anything being disseminated publicly by either of them or on their behalf which would encourage others to go to live in Syria as part of their religious duty. |
| “I have not found this an easy decision but I do consider that the conditions of bail proposed will substantially reduce the risk of dissemination of those views. | “I have not found this an easy decision but I do consider that the conditions of bail proposed will substantially reduce the risk of dissemination of those views. |
| “Accordingly, I am prepared to grant bail, but it is important that compliance with the conditions is carefully monitored and if there is a breach, the defendant concerned is to be arrested and brought before me or another judge as soon as possible.” | |
| Choudary, 48, wore a white gown and glasses and took notes during the 45-minute hearing. | Choudary, 48, wore a white gown and glasses and took notes during the 45-minute hearing. |
| He and Rahman are due to go on trial before a high court judge on 11 January. It is alleged that between 29 June last year and 6 March, Choudary invited support for Isis contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. | He and Rahman are due to go on trial before a high court judge on 11 January. It is alleged that between 29 June last year and 6 March, Choudary invited support for Isis contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. |